10 Days in Thailand, recommendations please!
 

Hello,

My wife and I are thinking about traveling to Thailand in April. Unfortunately we can't get there in Dec,Jan,Feb, so we are considering braving the heat (and the start of the rainy season). We are looking to experience as much as we can in 10 days (not including travel days to & from Bangkok). After 2 full days in Bangkok, where do you recommend visiting? We are very active and don't mind 2-3 days in one location before moving on. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!

TravelGuy

I have to tell you April isn't a great time to visit Thailand. It is hot,hot,hot - we even warn people traveling in the "cool" season of the heat. And if you think you want to go north to escape the heat, this is a time of the year when fields are burning, so it is very smokey and unpleasant. You could go south to beaches. April isn't yet too rainy on the Andaman Sea side. So you could do a trip of Bangkok and a beach (a couple of days in Bangkok, then beach for 5-6 days, then back to Bangkok). But if you really want to see places, please go at a different time of the year. I often recommend a side trip to Cambodia, but it will be blisteringly hot in Siem Reap, or to Luang Prabang, Laos, but it is also plagued by smoke at that time of the year.

Consider Bali at this time of the year. You can divide your time between a beach location and inland, near Ubud. Or you could include central Java.

i suggest 5 days in bkk and 5 days at the beach...

look at jw marriott in khao lak...fab..

hua hin is another beach area i prefer.. hyatt.

it will be hot!!

in april they have a few days of songran (sp).... best to avoid... water is constantly thrown on p

Islands are generally a degree or so cooler and if you go to Ko Samui, you'll also escape the rainy season.

Check out this Wikitravel article to see if the island appeals to you: http://wikitravel.org/en/Ko_Samui

You don't need a visa provided you don't remain in the country for more than 30 days.

If you wish to stay longer, you'll need a 60 day tourist visa which you can extend at a few select immigration offices for another 30 days. That costs 1900 Baht which is about $62. I only mention this because you talked about a three month stay initially and may not have been aware of the visa requirements.

I would say if yo have never been to Bangkok then at least 3 days there, yo either lover or hate capital citys, most I hate but Bangkok I love. Theres just so much to see and do, rushing about like a headless chicken is not enjoyable.

Are you after a nice beach or just want to tour and see the sights?

If you just want to chill out , I would look at going to Ko Chang, short flight from Bangkok, and some lovely places to stay, its more of a place to go and relax, that sight see.

If you want to get around abit more, try Chang Mai, as you dont have alot of time, you would be better flying up there, have 3/5 days or so up there.

You alot depends on your budget too.

I've been to Thailand at various times of the year. April will be super HOT but once it hits 90F I feel like it's going to be miserable regardless so may as well just GO! There's plenty of water and AC when you need it.

Songkran will be April 13-17ish in 2013. Depending on where you are at the time, festivities can range from mild to raucous so to each his own.

I agree with 3-5 days at least in Bangkok, and 1-2 short trips. Depending on your interests/budget, short trips can range from a flight down to the touristy but beautiful southern beaches (Phuket, etc); Hua Hin is closer, quieter; Khao Yai N'Park; flight up to Chiang Mai; minibus to Ayutthaya (ancient capital); minibus to Kanchanaburi (River Kwai).

Haven't been to Ko Samui but heard great things. Alternately I agree, a trip to Koh Chang can be incredible as well. I had a fabulous time snorkeling there.

*I should clarify by plenty of AC I mean in Bangkok (elsewhere it is more dependent on the type of accommodation/transit you choose). Another note -- in my experience end of April can be hit or miss wrt rain but generally doesn't really get going til well into May in Bangkok.

I did Ko Samui 12 years ago, went 4 times after that, for me then it was getting far too commercial, and the mix of back packers and tourist is not my idea of a nice time.

If you have never been to Asia then it would be a good starting point, and a gentle way to introduce you to the wonderful country. Theres accommodation types to suit all budgets.

I was last in Ko Chang 2007 it was just starting to get on the band wagon, but i believe its still less developed than the other Islands. And the ferry ride across is good fun. I will be driving there late next year, early 2014, will be nice to go back and see whats changed.

The old capital of Ayutthaya is not too far from Bangkok, minibus, or if you want the train is good too. you can do everything in a long day.

If you really want to do something alittle more special that not many people do, head up to Sawankhalok. or Sukhotha some amazing temples and scenery. and you get to see the reat Thailand.

If you can stand the heat, then go for it. I usually go to BKK in either Dec/Jan or August, but I was once there the last week of March and the heat had already started up. I think I just got numb after being out in it for so long. I remember my best friend, her daughter, and me walking from the Jim Thompson flagship store to the pier at the Oriental Hotel and we lived to tell the story. People have different reactions to heat depending on where they come from. Although it's usually not super humid here in L.A., it can get super hot, like 118F in The Valley and folks are out walking around in it.

If I were you, I'd do 5 days in Bangkok and 5 days at the beach. Bangkok isn't a city to just be rushed through. It takes time to absorb it and with the heat, you probably won't be moving as fast. But, at least there's air conditioning all around and if you get too hot, just stop into one of the many, many malls and have a cold drink or an ice cream and then back out into the heat. You'll just need to pace yourself. Smiles. Have fun.

Happy Travels!

Five days in Bangkok would be great. You might consider splitting that time...
3 days at the beginning and 2 days at the end, with beach in between. That way you can try two hotels/locations. River hotel and city (I prefer Sukhumvit) hotel.

I would split the days/ hotels. We are here now for 8 days staying at the A Watergate. The area seems to be much like NYC Broadway: a little NYC, a little Mexico City, a little poverty combined with upscale shopping. Louis V down the street from trash in the streets. The JIM THOMPSON house is cool. Worth it. I just liked the lane it was on; like the movies. The above-ground train is clean, unlike much of the city. Luckily, our friend is here, so we are enjoying it, as she makes it feel comfortable. I appreciate the incense between pockets of stench. (our noses are not yet adjusted)

If we would know before we traveled we would do 2-3 days in BKK with most time in Phuket. It is December 28 today and it is HOT. Not too hot, but HOT.